Would-be ruling party leader says Japan must boost defences to counter China

Japan’s former top diplomat and candidate to head its ruling party said that he supports boosting Tokyo’s defence budget amid China’s growing assertiveness in the region.

Ex-foreign minister Fumio Kishida proposed raising defence spending, possibly above Japan’s longstanding cap of 1% of gross domestic product.

“The security environment surrounding our country is increasingly becoming harsh,” Mr Kishida said.

He was speaking at a press conference ahead of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s leadership race scheduled for September 29.

Mr Kishida said Japanese coast guard should work closely with the Maritime Self-Defence Force, especially in defending the Japanese-controlled East China Sea islands, which Beijing also claims.

The winner of the governing party’s top position will almost certainly be elected prime minister as the Liberal Democrats and their coalition partner hold a parliamentary majority.

Other LDP candidates include Taro Kono, who serves as minister in charge of vaccinations, and former internal affairs minister Sanae Takaichi, who shares the ultra-conservative views of former premier Shinzo Abe.

Mr Kishida vowed to “resolutely” stand up to China on important issues like security in the Taiwan Strait and Beijing’s crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong.

The former foreign minister later added that Japan must continue “dialogue with China”, the country’s top trading partner.

Recent media surveys and polls showed Mr Kono as a front-runner as next prime minister.

However, only Liberal Democratic politicians and some grassroots party members can vote in the leadership contest.